Abstract: AIM: To compare efficacy and safety of gatifloxacin andlevofloxacin by a randomized controlled trial in treatment ofPatients withlight to moderate acutelower respiratory tract infections.METHODS: 39 cases were assigned to two groups:20 in gatifloxacin grouPand 19 inlevofloxacin group.The dose of gatifloxacin was 0.2 gPer tablet,po,two times a day and the same tolevofloxacin.The course of treatment was 5 -10 d.RESULTS: The clinical curative rates of gatifloxacin andlevofloxacin groups were 75 %(14/20)and 63.16 %(12/19),the effective rates were 100 % and 90 %(P>0.05),bacterial clearance were 100 % and 90 %,and adverse reaction rates were 10 %(2/20)and 10.53 %(2/19),respectively.All those adverse reactions were mainly gastrointestinal tract reactions.The abnormality oflaboratory inspections associated with trial drugs happened to 4 and 5Patients in two groups.The reactions were mostlylight increase of aminotransferase without effect on therapy.CONCLUSION: Gatifloxacin is an antibiotic withlarge antimicrobial spectrum and can be recommended to treatlight to moderate acutelower respiratory tract infections.

Key words: pharmacodynamics, gatifloxacin, levofloxacin, randomized controlled trial, acutelower respiratory tract infections